It’s a lovely day out in the field and you’re feeling to play some golf behind your back yard.
But when you go out, you see that the organic grass on the field has grown and now it’s becoming a hassle to maintain every single time you want to play outside.
Isn’t there some other alternative than organic grass? Well yes, it’s called synthetic turf and you can install your synthetic putting green with just a few steps.
In this article, I’ll tell you how to install a synthetic putting green on your desired patch of land so that you can spend more time on golf rather than worrying about the organic grass.
How to Build a Synthetic Putting Green
So you want to install a synthetic putting green on your desired patch of land, but don’t know how to do it the right way? Well don’t worry with these steps you’ll have a proper working and high-performance synthetic putting green turf that’ll make you golf with ease and without any hassle of maintenance.
Before we start with the steps you need to make sure that you have the right tools and equipment at your disposal:
- Artificial turf
- Landscaping rakes
- Utility knife
- Garden hose
- Broom
- Brick edgings
- Decomposed Granite
- Outdoor putting green.
1. Map Out the Location and Area
Having a proper layout of the location and area where you want to install your synthetic putting green is very important.
It not only helps determine the area to be covered by synthetic turf but also determines the performance of the synthetic putting green.
Select the design you desire for your synthetic putting green. In order to get a proper perspective sketch the shape and design of the synthetic putting green and then map out the area where you want the synthetic putting green to be.
Make sure the place has a good drainage system and plan the synthetic putting green away from your house so that no damages may occur while playing golf.
Also, make sure to mark out the places where you want to place the cups for draining out the water from the turf.
2. Measure The Area
Taking measurements is crucial when it comes to laying down artificial turf on land as it can either be the most satisfying job or the most exhausting hassle.
Be sure to take the right amount of measurements of your area i.e. width while buying the synthetic turf.
Artificial Grass comes in rolls that are 7 ½, 12, or 15 feet wide. So to avoid the hassle of cutting the artificial turf according to the land then make sure you get each edge and perimeter accurately measured.
It is recommended that you use a “lower nap turf” for putting greens as it prevents the buildup of static shock from the feet friction with the grass during humid seasons.
3. Remove The Grass or Sod
What about the preexisting organic grass on you land? Can’t you just build a putting green on top of it?
No, you cannot! If you build an artificial putting green on top of the organic grass then it’ll cause soft spots and an elevation of the synthetic putting green due to the growth of the already existing organic grass or sod.
This will become a hassle and hurdle to maintain when you try to play golf.
So to prevent that from happening remove all the grass and vegetation from the land by using herbicides that will remove every strand of grass and plants from your land.
4. Dig Out Top-Soil
Now that the top land is cleared it’s time to get rid of the origin of the problem and for organic grass, it’s the roots that are buried deep beneath the soil.
If you do not get rid of these roots and lay the turf on them, the grass will regrow and will become an even bigger problem to fix.
That is why you have to dig out the topsoil and remove all the roots including any vegetation growing underneath the topsoil.
You have to dig at least 3 to 4 inches of topsoil to properly remove the roots buried within them.
5. Place Weed Barrier
Is there anything else you need to worry about before laying down the turf? Just one more thing and it’s the weeds that are deep beneath the ground.
To prevents these weeds from growing back into the surface and ruining your putting green, place a weed barrier or weed fabric on top of the soil.
This fabric will stop the growth of weeds and don’t worry it will not stop any drainage of water from the turf, nor will trap heat in it that results in humidity and moisture in the environment.
So now you don’t have anything to worry about whether it be from the top or beneath the soil.
6. Add Border for Putting Green
How will you make sure that the deck of you yard doesn’t get ruined by the artificial turf?
Well, the simple answer to that is to add borders around the perimeter of the turf so that your deck is safe around the edges of the turf, especially during the rainy seasons when water is the main concern when it comes to artificial turfs.
So make sure you have waterproof borders like a plastic bender board, to prevent the sagging of the turf.
If you’re looking for a much better and permanent solution then install concrete curbs around the turf’s perimeter.
7. Install Cups
What can I do to stop puddles forming on my putting green? To avoid the formation of puddles start installing cups around the desired patch of the area where you will place your putting green.
The cups will drain any water and will be very helpful during the rainy seasons. Make sure that the cups are fitted deep within the surface of the soil so that water can properly drain down.
Also add some gravel deep in the cups. The gravel will sure that no amount of moisture is formed from the drained water onto the soil.
8. Add Subbase Material
Now that you’ve turned your land inside out, it’s time to start anew and make a proper foundation for your artificial turf.
Now to make a solid and strong foundation you’ll need the right resources, that’s why I recommend ¼ inch decomposed granite as subbase material.
Many turf installers recommend sharp sand as the sub-base but in reality, they will be tricking you into buying it for its low cost compared to other good quality sub-base materials.
Why do you need a sub-base, isn’t the soil enough for the turf?
No, during seasons the raw soil contracts and expands which ruins the artificial turf. Decomposed granite prevents that from happening as it maintains its form and holds the soil together.
9. Level the Base Material
Now that you’ve gathered the best quality sub-base material, it’s time to make the foundation that your soil desperately needs and will support your artificial turf in the long run.
So lay down the ¼ inch decomposed granite – 1 inch at a time – wet and roll it with a sod roller to create strong compaction within the foundation.
Level the decomposed granite with a leaf rake to the point where your artificial turf is level to the deck of the lawn or the perimeter where you’re installing your synthetic putting green.
If your desired patch of land has a broken or an unworkable drainage system, then I recommend using a 50-75mm MOT type-1 sub-base this will ensure that the water is drained properly from the turf.
10. Lay the Synthetic Turf
Is it safe to lay your artificial turf now?
Yes, finally!
It’s time to put the turf you bought according to the measured perimeter onto the strong and solid foundation you built for it.
After laying it onto the leveled foundation if you see any edges or obstacles interrupting the turf then cut the turf around and according to the surroundings to fit it in the desired patch of land. Use a utility knife to cut the turf.
What about the cups that are fixed in the foundation? Well, you cut circles in the turf to create an opening for the cups so that any water on the turf and be drained by the cups.
To make sure that the turf stays in place, use long nails around the edges and corners of the turf.
11. Add Putting Green Infill
Can you use the turf to play golf now? Not yet.
To make the artificial turf last longer and look vibrant you need to add infill like silica sand that will ensure the turf’s longevity and will increase its performance.
The infill will the grass a bounce and grip that will help it retain its shape and will help you perform well.
No need to worry about any chemicals or product degradation, a good quality infill will never show those flaws.
The infill is itself a foundation for the artificial grass that provides strength and increases the life span of the grass up to 20-25 years
So adding infill to the grass is not a recommendation but a necessity.
11a. Brush the Turf with a Turf Broom
After spreading the infill all over the turf grab your broom and start sweeping back and forth, this will make sure that the infill settles down deep within the artificial grass and supports the whole turf.
After booming you can rest easy knowing that your newly installed putting green will last longer and will perform well under harsh conditions.
After you’ve brushed the turf, your petting green will be ready to be used and will look like a natural beauty that you and your guests can enjoy.
How to Maintain Your Synthetic Putting Green
How do you maintain your newly installed (and costly) synthetic putting green?
Fortunately, unlike maintaining an organic putting green you don’t need to exhaust that much energy or time on it. No cutting of the grass, no taking out weeds and no fertilizing.
Artificial putting green will make sure you spend less time worrying and more time playing. If you maintain the artificial putting green well, you’ll increase its lifespan to more than 20 years.
Those who are newcomers or those who do not have experience in installing artificial turfs, will say that it’s a hassle to install artificial turf. Well it might before be but if you do install it properly, it’ll guarantee you nothing but peace and beautiful scenery.
Sweep and Wash Regularly
What do I use to clean off the waste from the artificial putting green? The old organic grass required cutting and picking up the waste but with the artificial putting green, all you go to do is just water with a hose and sweep the turf with a broom, yes that’s all there is. Just water and sweep the mess away.
Removing Pet Waste
What about the waste my pet makes? Well, the artificial grass doesn’t allow any waste to settle down in the artificial grass unlike organic grass which is a headache to clean up.
So just pick the waste in a plastic bag and rinse the turf with water. You can buy “pet fill”, an infill focused on preventing urine smell and the buildup of bacteria in the artificial grass.
Mold Prevention on Artificial Turf Putting Green
How can I stop molding within the grass of the artificial turf? Infill like “EnviroFill” comes with small granules that are coated and infused with anti-microbial technology that prevents the formation of molds and bacteria, so no need to worry about bad smell or unpleasant fungi.
Maintain Infill Depth
To make sure that the infill is in-depth with the strand of the artificial grass, just grab your boom and daily sweep back and forth to make any infill granule that’s popping outside settle down with the base of the grass.
Why Golfers Need a Putting Green at Home
Practice makes perfect and what’s better than practicing your strokes and swings at home.
Not only will the synthetic putting green save the time of going to the club but it will also keep you more focused on your practice since you don’t have anything to worry about maintaining it!